Form apparatus for concrete construction



Aug. 22, 1939. 1 LUNDlN 2,170,564

FORM APPARATUS FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 16, 1937 'sheets-Sheet l 4? INVENTOR ATTRN EY.

- Aug. 22, 1939. J. LuNDlN FORM APPARATUS FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION K s sneetl's-sneet 2 Filed April 16, 1957 IN VEN TOR.

A ORNEY.

Aug. 22, 1939. J. LUNDIN 2,170,554

FORM APPARATUS FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION v I .Filed April 16, 1957 l s sheets-'sheet s Patented Aug. 22, 1939 PATENT OFFICE FORM APPARATUS FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION John Lundin, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 16, 1937, Serial No. 137,310

2 Claims. (Cl. 25 131.5)

My invention relates to form apparatus for use in concrete or similar construction, and the objects of my invention are, first, to provide a form apparatus for constructing fiat concrete 1,5A portions of a building structure; second, to provide a form apparatus for constructing flat concrete portions adjacent and connected with the end portion of a column of a building structure; third, to provide a form apparatus for constructing portions of a column of a building structure with means for separating oppositely disposed portions thereof to permit removal of the form apparatus from around the completed column portion; fourth, to provide a form apparatus l5 adapted to form a flat concrete slab with split ring means for connecting with a column of a building structure; fth, to povide a form apparatus with a facing member adapted for use over long periods of time and Without the usual tendency to develop irregular formations therein,

thus providing for more eicient concrete construction vvhich is free of irregularv appearance; sixth, to provide a form apparatus with an exceptionally tough facing member having minimum .25 Weight; seventh, to provide a form apparatus having a facing member of plywood or similar material with a. nailing strip .or member to facilitate securement of the facingmember thereto; eighth, to provide a form apparatus having a 3o facing member with means for facilitating the ready removal and replacement of the facing member to increase the life of the form apparatus; ninth, to provide form apparatus comprising a plurality of cooperating panel assemblies of different sizes to permit the formation o-f concrete slabs of various areas; tenth, to provide form apparatus having a plurality of panel assemblies with means for insuring tight engagement of adjacent surfaces of the panel assemblies to eliminate any .resultant fins or lines on concrete formations constructed thereby; eleventh, to provide form apparatus for concrete and having a plurality of panel assemblies with means for insuring alignment of the panel assemblies to present their forming surfaces in a common plane to prevent unevenessf in the surface of the concrete; twelfth, to provide form apparatus, utilizing panel assemblies provided Withfacing members, with bushing members for receiving members for securing the facing members in the panel assemblies t'o eliminate wear` and destruction conventionally arising from repeated replacement of the facing members; thirteenth, tok provide a form panel assembly having split portions with clamping means for facilitating ready assembly and disassembly of the split portions; fourteenth, to rovide a form apparatus having a panel assembly wit'h spring actuated pilot plungers to facilitate alignment of the panel assemblies; and fifteenth, to provide a form-apparatus for con- 5 crete construction utilizing panel assemblies with an efcient supporting means comprising joists and jack members advant'ageously positioned for supporting the panel assemblies.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illus- 10 trated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial plan View of my form apparatus assembled for use in forming a floor or ceiling or similar support structure of a building or similar unit; Fig. 2, a sectional View ofthe 15 form apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1, said sectional view being taken o-n the line 2 2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a partial plan View of my form apparatus assembled for use in forming a pillar and floor or ceiling structure; Fig. 4, a sectional view of the form 20 apparatus disclosed in Fig. 3, said sectional view being taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a partial sectional view of the angle iron frame support disclosed in Fig. 3, said partial sectional view being taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 3; and disclosv25 ing a clamp means therewith; Fig. 6, a plan View of one of the panel assemblies utilized in my apparatus for use for flat slab form Work; Fig. '7, a side elevation of the panel assembly disclosed in Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a partial sectional View of the 30 panel assembly disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7, said partial sectional view being taken on the line 8 8, Fig. 6; Fig. 9, a partial sectional view of the panel assembly disclosed in Fig. 6 and taken on the line 9 9, Fig. 6; Fig. 10, a partial sectional 35 View of the panel assembly disclosed in Fig. 6 and taken on the line I l0, Fig. 6; Fig. 11, a vertical sectional View through a pilot plunger assembly utilized in the panel assembly disclosed in Fig. 6; Fig. 12, a partial sectional view of the 40 form apparatus of modifieddesign and floor or ceiling structure disclosed in Fig. 1 Vand taken on the line l2 l2, Fig. l; and Fig. 13, a sectional view .of a clamp means taken on the line |3 l3, Fig. 1. 45

My form apparatus is disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 as being used for forming floors, ceilings, or Wall structures together with the connecting portions of the pillars or columns which they support or are supported by. Although my ap- 50 paratus is shown in Figari-4 in connection with only one pillar, post, or column it will beY understood rthat it may be utilized as well with any plural number of such pillars, posts or columns.

The panel assembly A is utilized for construct- 55 ing the column I and the portions of the floor, ceiling, o-r wall structure immediately adjacent and connecting with the column I, the panel assemblies B being utilized for constructing the portions of the oor, ceiling or wall structure connected with the portions of the floor, ceiling or wall structure formed by the panel assembly A.

1t is to be understood that the panel assemblies A and B are supported in desired positions in which the floor, ceiling or wall structure is formed by a layer of concrete or similar material 2 supported on the upper surfaces 3 of the panel assemblies until the concrete or similar material hardness to form the desired structure, said floor, ceiling or wall structure being supported in its solidified form by a desired number of columns I which are in turn supported by and connected with the floor 4 or similar portion of the building structure.

Thus my form apparatus is especially adapted to construct nat slab structures of concrete and to construct column connecting structuresv of concrete, said at slab and said column connecting structures being connected in the concerete structure to form integral portions of a building structure.

The panel assembly A comprises the two panel portions or halves 5 and S which are constructed to iit around and contain the concrete material for forming the upper portion of the column I.

The panel halves 5 and 6 are each provided with the channel iron, frame support or similar member 'l which extends therearound and is provided with the semi-circular portion 8, the two semi-circular portions 8 of the channel member 'l cooperating to support the ring I8 which forms a cylindrical chamber 9, the semi-circular portions of the ring i6 being provided with a cylindrical opening l I at its lower end for retaining the concrete in a suitable shape and form for connecting with the upper end portion of the substantially straight cylindrical portion of the column l, the cylindrical opening II being connected with the wall portions of the cylindrical chamber 9 by the frusto-conical portion I3, the straight cylindrical portion of the column I extending to the floor l to permit the concrete column structure to be supported on the oor 4 and to support, in turn, the layer of concrete 2 forming a second floor or ceiling structure.

The channel member 'l is constructed with ange portions extending substantially at right angles from its main web portion, said flange portions being located on the inside of said main web portion. l

The two panel portions 5 and 6 and semi-circular portions 8 are provided with abutting surfaces Ill to .permit the panel portions 5 and 6 together with the Circular portions 8 to form a closed support around the upper end portion of the column l to provide a fiat slab form for the layer of concrete 2, Y

The channel members l are extended around the peripheries of the panel halves 5 and 5 and are suitably cutaway at their corner portions to permit them to be positioned in abutment and welded as at I5, the channel members 'i forming a V-shaped rail or hollow frame member extending around the panel assembly.

The side wall portions of the chamber 9 extend substantially flush with the upper surface of the panels 5 and E in forming the ring I5, the semi-circular portions ofthe ring lI5 being supported by a plurality of bolts, screws, rivets or similar fastening members I8 extending through the side wall portions of the ring I6 and the semicircular portions 8 of the channel members l, the bolts, screws, rivets, or similar fastening members I8 preferably having their head portions flush with the inside surfaces of the ring I@ to provide a smooth and even surface on the outside of the column i after the concrete has been poured, formed and hardened, nuts I8A being utilized for locking the bolts, screws, rivets or similar fastening members, the bolts I8 however being utilize-d when desired as disclosed in Fig. 12, the number of bolts I 8 being utilized as necessary, two only being disclosed in each figure.

The upper edge surfaces of the walls of the chamber 9 forming the ring I6 are positioned substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the facing members I9 which are constructed of plywood material in which a plurality of relatively thin layers of tough wood or similar fiber material are secured one upon another in cross grain or similar fashion to provide facing members I9 of relatively light weight and having tenacious and tough characteristics and at the same time providing sufcient resilient and cushioning characteristics to readily prevent denting and deforming and thus providing eicient surfaces for contacting and supporting the concrete or similar material and insuring smooth surfaces of the concrete after hardening.

This not only accomplishes facing construction with a maximum of efliciency but also Very economical manufacture as my panel assemblies may be used again and again over long periods of time` without refacing and without producing bumpy or irregular and rough surfaces on the concrete which is not possible of accomplishment with panel assemblies faced with metal or similar material and which are susceptible of easy denting and deformation, said dents and deforming being of permanent formation in metal or similar material.

The half panel assemblies 5 and 6 are secured together with a plurality of clamp assemblies C which comprise clamp members 20 and 2I which are U shaped and provided with lugs 2 IA adapted to fit over and around the lower flanges of the abutting channel members 'I, one of the clamp members being provided with a groove 22 for receiving an, extension or tongue 23 of the other clamp member therein, the clamp members 29 and 2I being engaged and adjustably tightened and secured in their clamping positions by the screws 24 extending through one of the clamp members to engage the other clamp member as by threading or similar means.

It is also to be noted that the abutting edge surfaces 25 of the facing members I9 of the panel assemblies C extend over the edges of the adjacent surfaces l26 of the inner portions of the channel members. 'l toinsure that the half panel assemblies 5 and 6 will always tightly engage at the edge surfaces 25 of the facing members I9 instead of at the surfaces I4 as disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4, thus preventing ns and sharp edge formations in the concrete structure which would be the case if any appreciable space or opening existed between the edge surfaces 25 of the facing members I9. However the side surfaces of the channel members 1 may be abutted as disclosed in Fig. 5 if desired.

It is thus to be noted that the half panel assemblies 6 and 5 may be readily secured together with the ring I6 to form an integral portion panel and ring assembly at the upper end of a partially Completed column I to enable the remainder of lthe column l to be completed in its concrete formation and to connect its concrete structure with adjacent portions of the layer 2 of concrete and at the same time to permit ready disassembly of the .panel and ring assembly for removal and re- -assembly on another construction job or different kangle irons 8 of Figs. 3 and 4, the angle irons 10 each being provided with a single horizontal angle or flange 1I which support the panel members 12 which are thus located with their upper surfaces 13 substantially below the upper surfaces 3 of adjacent panel assemblies to provide a drop head construction for the upper portion of the column I where it joins the ceiling structure. The panel members 12 are -supported by joists or similar members 14 and 15.

The panel assemblies B are constructed in suitable numbers and of suitable and different sizes, as for instance in rectangular sizes of 4 feet by 8 feet, 3 feet by 4. feet, 4 feet by 4 feet, 4 feet by 5 feet, etc., or multiples thereof, to form any desired expanse and shape of layer of concrete 2 as required by any wall or floor structure in a building, the rectangular sizes of the panel assemblies B supplementing and cooperating with the panel assemblies A, which preferably are of rectangular sizes of 4 feet by 8 feet or similar dimensions.

The panel assemblies B, one of which is disclosed in detail in Figs. 6, '1 and 8 are each provided with a channel 21 which is. formed to extend around the periphery of the panel assembly and to have its edge surfaces 2B set back a vrelatively slight distance, as for instance approximately 1A; of an inch, from the edge surfaces 29 .of the facing members I9, thus insuring that the edge surfaces 29 will always tightly engage one another when the panel assemblies A are assembled as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, the abutment of the edge surfaces 29 being similar in operation to the abutting surfaces 25, Figs. 3 and 4.

The channel 21 is suitably cut away at its corner portions to permit them to be positioned in abutment as at the points I5, similar to the channel members 1 of the panel assemblies A.

The panel assembly B is provided with the nailing or securing strip or member 39, which is constructed of wood or similar material, and is formed to fit between the upper and. lower flange portions of the channel iron 21 on its inside, the nailing strip 30 extending around the panel assembly B and having its upper surface 30A engaging and supporting the facing panel member 3|, the nailing strip 3|] being secured to the channel 21 by a plurality of screws 32 or similar securing members extending through the channel 21 from its outside to threadab-ly or similarly engage the nailing strip 30, the screws 32 further extending through the nailing strip 30 to engage and secure the end portions of adjacent side portions of the nailing strip 319 together as disclosed in Figs. 6 and 8.

The facing member panel 3l is fastened to the nailing strip 39 by a plurality of pins or nails or similar fastening members 33 which snugly engage the bushings or sleeves 34 extending through the facing member panel 3l and the bushings or sleeves 35 extending through the nailing strip 30, the bushings 34 being provided with head portions 36 having their upper surfaces set sub- 'stantially flush with the upper surfaces of the facing member panel 3|, the head portions 36 being provided with counterbores or recesses 31 for receiving the head portions 38 of the pins or nails 33 substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the facing member panel 3I and the head portions 36 of the bushings 34, the bushings 34 and 35 permitting the removal of the pins or nails 33 and the reassembling of same Without developing excessive wear and enabling the facing member panel 3| to be replaced when they do become Worn out without necessitating making new openings in or replacing the nailing strips 38.

The facing member panel 3l is further supported by engaging the upper surfaces of the flange portions 39 at the upper sides of the T beam, braces, or T members 40 which extend across the panel assembly B and are suitably connected to oppositely disposed inner sides of the channel 21, the nailing strip 38 being interrupted suiciently adjacent the ends of said T beam members 46, as at 43A in Figs. 8 and 9, tol permit the end thereof to engage the channel 21.

The panel assemblies A and B are provided with a plurality of pilot plunger assemblies F at one of their sides and said panel assemblies A and B are provided with openings or recesses 4I in their o-pposite sides for receiving the pilot plungers 42 of adjacent panel assemblies therein for facilitating alignment of the panel assemblies to present their upper surfaces 3' in alignment in a common plane to provide the proper surfacing of the concrete material or slab of the building construction.

The plunger assemblies F and openings 4I are shown only on a pair of opposite sides of a panel assembly although they may be installed on all edge surfaces or adjacent sides o-f the panel assemblies if desired.

The pilot plungers 42 are slidably supported in the housings or bushings 43 which are adapted to assemble in suitable openings or recesses 44 in the nailing strips 38 and are each provided with a fiange or shoulder portion 45 positioned adjacent the web portion of the channel members l or 21 at their inner sides. The housings 43 are each provided with a recess or chamber 46 Y in which the spring or resilient member 41 is assembled around the extension portion 48 of the pilot plunger 42, the spring 41 having one of its ends abutting the flange or shoulder portion 49, the other end of the spring 41 abutting the flange or shoulder portion 58 which is normally held in abutment with the surface 5I by the spring 41, the spring 41 allowing the pilot plunger 42 to be slidably moved against the tension of the spring 41 until its rounded end 52 is substantially flush with the edge surfaces 28 or where the pilot plunger 42 engages an edge surface 28 of an adjacent panel assembly which may not have an opening 4I located in alignment with the pilot plunger.

In the panel assemblies A when no nailing strip is used, the pilot plunger assemblies F may be suitably secured to the web portions of the channel members 1 by securing the flange or shoulder portions 45 to the web of the channel members by welding or similar means.

In supporting the panel assemblies A and B in their operative positions for forming the layer or slab 2 of concrete thereon, the joists or similar members 53 will be positioned underneath and in engagement with the lower flanges 511 of the channel members 1 and 21 as disclosed in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, the joists 53 being of suitable cross section or size, such as 4 inches by 6 inches, and said joists 53 will be positioned with their longitudinal vertical centers substantially in alignment with adjacent edge surfaces of the panel assemblies to permit nails or similar securing members 35 to be driven through the joists 53 to engage the under side or portions of each of the nailing strips 3B in adjacent panel assemblies, as indicated by the dotted lines, in Fig. 1.

Also, where desired, the upper surfaces 3 of the panel assemblies A may be located slightly lower than the upper surfaces 3 of the panel assemblies B to provide an oifset or crown in the upper portion of the column 3 where it joins the lower side of the .layer 2 of concrete as disclosed at 5G, Fig. 12.

Also the lower flanges of the channel members 1' may be provided with suitable openings therethrough to permit nails or similar members to be secured through said lower flanges 54 and into the joists 59 or similar support members as desired, one of which is disclosed in Fig. 4.

Cross members or joists 59 may be now assembled to support the panel portions 5 and 5 as disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 and they may be supported on strip or shoulder members 51 suitably secured to the joists 56, as by nailing or similar means, the joists 56 extending adjacent edge portions of the panel assembly A at opposite sides thereof and between end portions of joists 53, the strip or shoulder members 51 supporting the cross members of joists 59 at sides of the ring I 6 to engage the channel members 1 adjacent points where the straight portions thereof join the semi-cylindrical portions 8, thus positioning the cross members or joists 59 to extend transversely to the abutting surfaces I4 and 25.

A plurality of T jack or support members 5I are then interposed between the joists 53 and 59 as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, and the floor il to support and retain the panel assemblies and their joists support structure while the concrete is poured to form the slab and column structure.

In operation, the panel assemblies A together with their rings I6 are located above the columns I which will be in unfinished condition and then the panel assemblies B are placed adjacent one another with the pilot plungers 42 of one panel assembly engaging an opening 4I of another panel assembly.

Then the joists 53 are secured to the Various panel assemblies adjacent their engaged edge surfaces, the joists 56 and 59 together with a portion of the joists 53 being positioned and secured to under portions of the panel assembly A, the joists 59 being supported by the joists 56 and their strip or shoulder members 51, after which T jack or similar support members 6I Vare adjustably assembled under the Various joists on the floor fi below, thus supporting the panel assemblies with the upper surfaces 3 of the facing members I9 and 3| located in a common plane to provide a support for the layer of concrete 2 which also extends into and lls the ring I5 to form the upper portion of the columns I.

After the layer 2 of concrete, together with the two upper posts of the column I, has been formed, the T jacks and various joists are removed after which the panel assemblies B may be removed. Then the bolts 24 of the clamp assemblies C are removed and with theremoval of the bolts I8, the panel portions 5 and 5 may be separated and removed from around the column I. The various panel assemblies may now be reassembled in new portions of the same job or Vremoved for use to a new building structure.

I claim:

1. In form apparatus for concrete slab construction, a marginal frame formed of channel irons, brace members reinforcing said frame and coasting with said channels in forming a rigid structure vcapable of withstanding deformation under the weight of a concrete slab, a fibrous nailing strip secured `in each channel and having a portion extended to the plane of the top surface of said channel, Aa seamless facing elementsupported by the top surfaces of said channels and brace members, and removable securing elements extending through said facing element and into said nailing strip.

2. In form apparatus for concrete slab construction, a marginal frame formed of channel irons, brace members reinforcing said frame and coacting with said channels in forming a rigid structure capable of withstanding deformation under the weight of a concrete slab, a fibrous nailing strip secured in each channel and having a portion extended to the plane of the top surface of Vsaid channel, a seamless facing element supported by the top surfaces of said channels and brace members, and removable securing elements extending through said facing element.

and into said nailing strip, said facing element and frame structure having similar geometric shape, with the facing element larger vthan the frame and disposed to project an equal distance from al1 sides of the frame.

JOHN LUNDIN. 

